Candidates to interchange Rich Rodriguez as Jacksonville State’s head soccer coach

After three seasons in Calhoun County, Jacksonville State coach Rich Rodriguez is headed dwelling.

The teaching veteran was formally introduced as the following head coach at West Virginia on Tuesday, returning again to his dwelling state and this system he coached for seven seasons.

He helped lead the Gamecocks to a 27-10 document throughout his three seasons in Jacksonville and thru a transition from the ranks of FCS to FBS. In what could be his last sport with this system, he keyed the Gamecocks to a 52-12 rout of Western Kentucky for the Conference USA championship.

The Jax State job profile is actually totally different than when Rodriguez was introduced as head coach in November of 2021, and the coach is an enormous purpose for that. Along with up to date participant amenities and a new-look stadium, Rodriguez, his workers and gamers virtually instantly gave Jax State a status as a prime Group of Five program.

Who will take the reins as Jax State’s subsequent head soccer coach? Here are a number of potential candidates to interchange Rodriguez:

Bill Clark, former UAB coach

Clark is eyeing a return to the sidelines, and this chance is bound to spark some curiosity for the coach. A Jacksonville State alum and Calhoun County native, Clark spent one season as this system’s head coach in 2013 earlier than taking up at UAB in 2014. Clark, a colour commentator for Jax State’s soccer ESPN+ broadcasts this season, advised AL.com in November that he has made a robust restoration from again surgical procedure and has acquired curiosity from packages this offseason. Could the skilled Clark make a return to Calhoun County?

Todd Bates, Oklahoma co-defensive coordinator

A longtime assistant beneath Brent Venables at Clemson and Oklahoma, Bates may very well be able to tackle his first head teaching gig and transfer nearer to dwelling. A Heflin native, Bates was a staff captain on the University of Alabama within the last 12 months of his taking part in profession earlier than starting his teaching profession at Talladega High in 2007; he additionally coached at Oxford from 2008-2011 and spent three seasons as Jacksonville State’s defensive position coach beneath John Grass.

Bryant Vincent, Louisiana-Monroe head coach

One of many on this checklist with deep ties to the state of Alabama, Vincent guided ULM to its hottest begin in program historical past with a 5-1 begin with a loss to then-No. 1 Texas; the Warhawks completed 5-7, its highest win whole since 2019. He coached UAB for a complete season after Bill Clark stepped down and led the Blazers to a 7-6 document and a win within the Bahamas Bowl towards Miami-Ohio. Along with being an assistant at UAB and South Alabama, he was a highschool coach as an assistant at Charles Henderson and Spain Park earlier than turning into head coach at Greenville and Spanish Fort.

Rod Smith, Jacksonville State offensive coordinator

While he’s seemingly observe Rodriguez to West Virginia, Smith is an skilled coordinator at each stage and may very well be prepared to guide his personal program; he’s at the moment set to function interim head coach within the Cure Bowl for Jax State. Along with taking part in quarterback beneath Rodriguez at Glenville State, he’s been on his workers at a number of stops together with West Virginia, Michigan and Arizona. He additionally had a stint as Illinois’ offensive coordinator beneath Lovie Smith and was interim head coach when he was fired in 2020.

Lance Taylor, Western Michigan head coach

While it could be seen as a lateral transfer, Taylor might actually be in play for this place to return nearer to dwelling. A local of Mobile County and graduate of Citronelle High School, Taylor was a walk-on receiver at Alabama earlier than incomes a scholarship and special-teams captain honors. In his second season, Western Michigan will face South Alabama within the Salute to Veterans Bowl for its first bowl look since 2021; the staff additionally completed with 5 wins in convention play since 2019.

Casey Woods, SMU offensive coordinator

One of the highest up-and-coming coordinator names, Woods has been a key a part of serving to lead SMU to a berth within the College Football Playoff. With SMU’s first-round matchup towards Penn State being on Dec. 21, the supply of Woods could also be an element on this search. Still, he’s helped tempo an offense that ranks No. 10 amongst all FBS groups in whole touchdowns (56) and No. 20 in whole yards per sport (443.1). Before taking the reins of the Mustangs’ offense, the Starkville, Mississippi, native and former Tennessee receiver additionally frolicked as an assistant at Auburn and UAB beneath Bill Clark.

Joe Craddock, Tulane offensive coordinator

Another coordinator who has drawn some consideration, Craddock has keyed an offense for Jon Sumrall’s staff that has averaged 37.15 factors per sport and racked up a season-high 71 factors towards a reeling UAB staff. The 39-year-old assistant is a graduate of Briarwood Christian and a local of Chelsea, serving as an assistant at Briarwood earlier than entering into the faculty ranks; he’s additionally been an offensive coordinator at SMU, Arkansas and Troy, additionally having a stint as UAB’s tight ends coach.

Rod McDowell, Jacksonville State working backs coach

While McDowell’s solely true assistant position has been working backs, he’s a favourite amongst gamers and has established himself as a wonderful recruiter, particularly within the south and within the state of Alabama. There’s an understanding that he loves being in Jacksonville and has loved shifting to the world. Similar to Rod Smith, he’s extraordinarily more likely to observe Rodriguez to West Virginia however must be a reputation to observe throughout this transition interval for each Jax State and WVU.

Bryan Ellis, Alabama tight ends coach

Another place coach, Ellis was employed to affix Kalen DeBoer’s workers because the tight ends coach in March. Before becoming a member of the workers with the Crimson Tide, Ellis was an offensive coordinator for 3 seasons at Western Kentucky and two seasons at Georgia Southern; he was additionally an offensive assistant at Southern California beneath Clay Helton, the place he coached quarterbacks. He shined as a coordinator on the Group of Five stage, together with his 2022 Georgia Southern offense breaking virtually each passing document in program historical past and his WKU offenses all the time rating among the many prime of the Group of Five. Before entering into teaching, he was a quarterback at UAB and spent two seasons there as a graduate assistant with the quarterbacks.

Neal Brown, former West Virginia head coach

While it’s not too frequent {that a} fired head coach steps immediately again into main a program shortly after his departure, a head coach swap may very well be on the desk for West Virginia and Jax State. Brown was reportedly within the combine for a handful of positions, with FootballScoop reporting he was a candidate for the Appalachian State and Charlotte jobs. Should he instantly step again into main a program, Jax State might actually be on the desk for the skilled coach.